Why do you say heartburn is a symptom of hypochlorhydria? Heartburn is usually associated with lower, lower esophagus sphincter pressure and increased acid reflux into the esophagus. See Castell work on reflux, heartburn, and diet.
Heartburn is a symptom of both hypohydrochlorhydria (too little stomach acid) and hypohydrochlorhydria (too much stomach acid). The dietary treatment is the same, a bland nutrition therapy. However, in hypochlorhydria (ahydrochlorhydria- without stomach acid), acid pills may be prescribed to aid digestion of food.
Lower esophageal sphincter pressure or a hiatal hernia can both cause reflux esophagitis. (Stomach acid that flows back up the esophagus which causes an inflammation of the lining in the esophagus. The esophagus lacks the thick mucous lining found in the stomach and therefore is more susceptible to the stomach acid.)
